Shahrizat Abd Jalil does not deny contesting in Sungai Besar

SUNGAI BESAR: Umno Wanita chief Tan Sri Shahrizat Abd Jalil today did not deny rumours that she will be contesting in the Sungai Besar parliamentary seat in the 14th General Election.

She was asked to comment on the invitation by Sungai Besar Umno division chief Datuk Seri Jamal Md Yunos to be a candidate there, as announced to reporters today.

Shahrizat described herself as no stranger to the people of Sungai Besar.

“I would like to talk about a few basic things. First, I am not an outsider in Sungai Besar. As the country’s Wanita Umno chief and even when I was vice-chief, I frequently came to Sungai Besar when the late Tan Sri Noriah Kasnon was the Umno Wanita chief,here.

“During the by-election, I was with Datuk Yati, Selangor Umno Wanita chief (Datuk Norhayati Onn) and the wing was the backbone of the machinery in Sungai Besar.

Umno Wanita chief Tan Sri Shahrizat Abd Jalil today did not deny rumours that she will be contesting in the Sungai Besar parliamentary seat in the 14th General Election. Pic by NSTP/ HAFIZ SOHAIMI

“I am not a leader who is only in Kuala Lumpur. I have always gone down to the ground and I understand the grassroots needs,” she said at a press conference after attending the wedding of Sungai Besar Umno deputy chief Datuk Ramli Norani’s daughter in Taman Ehsan, here.

Asked if she was ready to contest in the Sungai Besar parliamentary constituency seat, Shahrizat said as a politician, one must be ready to face all possibilities.

Shahrizat described the red carpet offer by Jamal as an honour.

“I am touched....I see this offer as not only for me but as an honour from male leader to a woman leader. We, the women of Malaysia, truly appreciate it when a division chief sincerely makes an offer,” said Shahrizat.

Earlier, Jamal had said he would not hesistate to propose Shahrizat as the most suitable candidate for the seat.

He, however, said the matter has yet to be formally discussed at the Umno division level yet.